-by Kyler Rollins

Loggers in East Bank Berbice have been offered up to 5,000 acres of additional land to expand operations.  

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat recently made the proposal, while suggesting the establishment of a designated mining block in the area.

Minister Bharrat said these ventures could be materialized, but only on the condition that members resolve their internal differences and work together through a unified association.

He suggested the formation of a single body to be named the ‘East Bank Small Miners and Loggers Association.’

The minister said a unified association would provide members with greater opportunities to expand their logging and mining operations in Region 6.

“If this same association work together I’m willing here today, I’m throwing out a proposal. I could give you one mining block for the association so you could also do logging and mining too. I’m willing to do that. One mining block is 1200 acres of land,” the minister said.

The Minister’s proposals have been welcomed by loggers and miners in the area.

CDC Chairman, Seocharan Deocharan said, “I think the idea what minister came up with said that instead of getting so much associations along the East Bank, put one. And the association would be also with the mining and that’s a boost for them. They can come and earn more money and make more employment and more jobs will be created as well.”

Meanwhile, Logger James Chisholm said, “The minister talk and we listen what he say we feel comfortable what he talk about concerning the logging and these kind of stuff. So now we have to be with the chairman for the association and just work together with what was supposed to be done and hope he get it right,”